Research Associate – Thought Leadership
Oxford Economics, a leading global economic research and consultancy firm, is looking for an entry-level Research Associate to join our high-calibre Thought Leadership research team, based in New York City. The right candidate will have an interest in quantitative and qualitative data to develop insights, working with data suppliers and colleagues in the editorial team. They must be proficient in Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. Interest in the challenges facing global business is a plus, as is an understanding of how to create compelling presentations and infographics. You will assist members of the Thought Leadership team to produce programs that enable sponsors to engage a targeted executive audience with compelling quantitative research and well-written publications.
This is an entry role that provides good development opportunities, particularly as the fast-growing Thought Leadership team expands its capabilities. Successful candidates can expect to get client-facing experience at an early stage and progress to managing a portfolio of Thought Leadership projects across varied topic areas, as well as developing their own areas of expertise. The role requires working closely with clients and colleagues around the world, often working on projects with colleagues in our UK offices and elsewhere.
Key Responsibilities
Research and analysis
- Assist project managers in conducting the necessary desk research to ensure the accuracy, currency, and comprehensiveness of the information in our published reports
- Help to draft surveys related to sponsored research projects
- Review and quality-assure primary research data (e.g., survey responses)
- Contribute to survey analysis to develop data insights
- Assist in building charts, graphs, dashboards, and data visualizations
- Assist editors in checking quotes, facts, and data in reports
- Respond to client data queries, carrying out investigations as required
Supplier management
- Work with survey suppliers throughout research projects, from specifying requirements through to data delivery
- Manage survey fieldwork, including regular progress updates and receipt of interim and final deliverables
- Work with other team members to specify project data presentation and analysis requirements
- Manage supplier performance and escalate any issues as required
Administration
- Manage project and supplier documentation, including proposals, contracts, data files and client deliverables
- Help coordinate Thought Leadership projects with external contributors (e.g., expert interviews)
- Put relevant thought leadership materials on our corporate website
- Work with other team members to ensure proper project time recording and accurate financial records
Performance Measures
The metrics against which the research associate’s performance will be assessed include:
- Quality of analysis, presentation, and other deliverables
- Completion of assignments on time and to the appropriate level of quality
- Accuracy and reliability of documentation and record keeping
- Feedback from thought leadership team and clients
Skills & Experience
Education and training
- Bachelor’s degree
- Awareness and interest in business, economic, and social trends
- Highly numerate, with some research and data analysis experience an advantage
Skills
- Ability to manipulate and analyze data in Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
- Writing ability, presenting a convincing argument based on evidence
- Copyediting and proofreading skills
- Strong organizational and administrative skills, with experience of supplier and project administration an advantage
Personal attributes
- Detail-oriented and conscientious
- Self-starter, with can-do attitude
- Ability to hit deadlines and finish assignments quickly
- Flexible, able to react quickly to changing requirements
- Able to take direction
- Ability to thrive in a hybrid working environment (at least 2 days in the office per week)
- Team player
Oxford Economics is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by governmental or local laws.
About Oxford Economics
Oxford Economics was founded in 1981 as a commercial venture with Oxford University’s business college to provide economic forecasting and modelling to UK companies and financial institutions expanding abroad. Since then, we have become one of the world’s foremost independent global advisory firms, providing reports, forecasts, and analytical tools on 200 countries, 100 industrial sectors and over 4,000 cities. Our best-of-class global economic and industry models and analytical tools give us an unparalleled ability to forecast external market trends and assess their economic, social and business impact.
Headquartered in Oxford, England, with regional centres in London, New York, and Singapore, Oxford Economics has 24 offices across the globe. We employ more than 400 professional economists, industry experts and business editors—one of the largest teams of macroeconomists and thought leadership specialists. Our global team is highly skilled in a full range of research techniques and thought leadership capabilities, from econometric modelling, scenario framing, and economic impact analysis to market surveys, case studies, expert panels, and web analytics.
Oxford Economics is a key adviser to corporate, financial and government decision-makers and thought leaders. Our worldwide client base now comprises over 1500 international organisations, including leading multinational companies and financial institutions; key government bodies and trade associations; and top universities, consultancies, and think tanks.
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